Son Heung-min brace saves Spurs in fiery North London Derby draw

 
Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min led from the front to lead Spurs to a dramatic draw in the North London Derby on Sunday, scoring twice to force a 2-2 draw with Arsenal.
 
While both teams only walk away with a point from the fiery derby clash, the come-from-behind draw on the road marks a big turning point for Spurs. Having dropped four of their last five games against Arsenal, Sunday’s stalemate suggests something really is changing in Tottenham.
 

 
On paper, the first derby of the 2023-24 season already looked like an interesting matchup. For the first time since 1990, both teams arrived at the game unbeaten so far this season and, as much as some fans might like to say otherwise, Spurs have been looking decidedly un-“Spursy” — to borrow a James Maddison expression — over the last few weeks.
 
Still, it seemed likely that north London was going to be treated to another Arsenal win. As up-and-coming as Spurs may be this campaign, Arsenal finished second last season and the Ange Postecoglou magic can only go so far.
 
Yet work it did. Spurs were inspired and reactive, bouncing back from disappointment to reclaim the ball and go on the offensive. Long gone were the despondent looks and rapidly collapsing midfield of yore, replaced with rapid counterattacks and a genuine hunger combined with a team that is really starting to work well together.
 
Of course it only goes so far. It was still a draw and Spurs were still largely reactive, but holding their own against Arsenal suggests a top-four finish shouldn’t be out of the question this season.
 
Both of Arsenal’s goals came thanks in some way to Tottenham defender Cristian Romero, who inadvertently knocked in a deflection for an opening own goal in the 26th minute and then gave up a penalty with a handball in the 52nd that Bukayo Saka did not struggle to convert.
 
Luckily, Son was on hand on both occasions to turn things around, combining with James Maddison with deadly effect.
 
The first goal in the 42nd minute was a Maddison master class, the English midfielder taking a deflection out to the edge of the box, cutting in around the defender by the goal line and then poking a pass through for Son to calmly turn into the back of the net.
 
Just moments after Saka’s penalty, Maddison struck again. Robbing Jorginho in the midfield, Maddison fired a through ball to Son to hammer home — a goal made even sweeter by the fact that Saka had been mimicking Maddison’s darts goal celebration on the touchline just seconds before they leveled the score.
 
Postecoglou retired Son and Maddison shortly after, resting the pair and seeming happy with a 2-2 draw on the road.
 
“It's not about being happy with the result, for me it was about the performance,” Postecoglou said after the game. “You can get a result here, a draw, and like I said before you can walk away knowing that 'you know what, we escaped', but I don't have that feeling now.
 
“I think we went toe to toe with a top team and at times I thought we really asserted our dominance on the game. At times they did but that's what happens when you face top sides.”
 
The Australian gaffer also praised Son’s leadership.
 
“He's been outstanding as a leader and as a player,” Postecoglou said. “We have put him in that nine position now and he just works so hard. He is so team-first orientated, it is just incredible. His first thought is what is best for the team and when he puts himself in those positions then has the quality to finish.
 
“I thought Madders was outstanding with both assist and Sonny was there to finish them off. Pleased for him because he's really invested in what we're doing. A lot of the team environment I talk about is driven by him and Madders and Romero.”
 
Despite their recent success, Tottenham are already out of the Carabao Cup this season and have no European football, so will face no midweek fixtures for the foreseeable future. Spurs will be back in action Saturday as they take on Liverpool at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.

BY JIM BULLEY [[email protected]]